Ram Chander

Combination of Microdermabrasion and 5‐Fluorouracil to Induce Repigmentation in Vitiligo: An Observational Study

BACKGROUND Treatment of resistant vitiligo is challenging. A few well‐researched studies have shown variable results with surgical and other therapeutic strategies. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the usefulness of a less‐painful method of repigmentation of vitiligo patches. PATIENTS AND METHODS Forty vitiligo patches in 22 consecutive patients with resistant vitiligo presenting at a vitiligo clinic of a university teaching medical school in New Delhi, India, were treated with microdermabrasion followed by topical 5% 5‐fluorouracil (5‐FU). RESULTS One‐third of the patches showed more than 50% repigmentation, and one‐fourth showed more than 75% repigmentation. Gratifying results were obtained in seven patches after a single session. CONCLUSION Microdermabrasion is adjunctive with topical 5% 5‐FU in the treatment of resistant vitiligo patches. Further well‐controlled randomized trials are required to validate the observations of the study. The authors have indicated no significant interest with commercial supporters.

A Comparison of the Hormonal Profile of Early Androgenetic Alopecia in Men With the Phenotypic Equivalent of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome in Women.

IMPORTANCE Early androgenetic alopecia (AGA) is patterned hair loss occurring before age 30 years. Early AGA in men is frequently reported as the phenotypic equivalent of polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) in women, which carries the risk of developing obesity, metabolic syndrome, and cardiovascular diseases. Very few studies have been conducted to evaluate this. OBJECTIVE To study the hormonal profile of men with early AGA and to evaluate if early AGA in men can be considered as the phenotypic equivalent of PCOS, the associated risks of which are well known. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS This case-control study was conducted from January 1, 2014, to March 31, 2015, in a tertiary care government hospital. Fifty-seven men aged 19 to 30 years presenting with patterned hair loss were recruited as study participants. Thirty-two age-matched men with no evidence of hair loss were recruited as controls. Men who had any established endocrine disorder, diabetes mellitus, or cardiovascular disease and those who took any oral medication or hormonal treatment for hair loss were excluded from the study. The serum concentrations of total testosterone, sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS), luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), prolactin, fasting plasma glucose, and insulin levels were measured. Insulin resistance (IR) and free androgen index (FAI) were calculated and compared with age- and sex-matched controls. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES The primary outcome was to measure the clinico-endocrinological profiles (LH, FSH, SHBG, DHEAS, and testosterone levels) of men with early AGA and to compare it with the PCOS profile; the secondary outcome was to establish a relationship between this endocrinological profile and IR. RESULTS Compared with the 32 controls, the 57 participants with AGA showed significantly increased mean (SD) levels of testosterone (24.61 [7.97] vs 20.57 [4.9] nmol/L; P = .04), DHEAS (3.63 [2.19] vs 2.64 [1.49] µg/mL; P = .02), LH (7.78 [3.19] vs 4.56 [2.01] mIU/mL; P < .001), and prolactin (14.14 [9.48] vs 9.97 [3.12] ng/mL; P = .01) and decreased mean levels of FSH (4.02 [2.69] vs 5.66 [1.93] mIU/mL; P < .001) and SHBG (35.07 [11.11] vs 46.41 [14.03] nmol/L; P < .001). The mean FAI and LH/FSH ratio were was also increased in the AGA group. These hormonal parameters resemble the well-known profile of women with PCOS. The mean (SD) insulin levels did not show any significant difference between the cases and controls (6.34 [3.92] vs 5.09 [3.38] μIU/mL; P = .07). There was no statistically significant association between hormone levels and AGA or IR grade severity. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE Men with early AGA could be considered as male phenotypic equivalents of women with PCOS. They can be at risk of developing the same complications associated with PCOS, including obesity, metabolic syndrome, IR, cardiovascular diseases, and infertility.

Cryotherapy in treatment of keloids: Evaluation of factors affecting treatment outcome

Background: Keloids are cosmetically disfiguring benign fibrous outgrowths, which present as a major therapeutic dilemma due to their frequent recurrence. Despite a wide therapeutic armamentarium available for these scars, none has been found to be completely effective and satisfactory. Cryosurgery has offered some promise in the treatment of keloids.We conducted this study to evaluate the effect of cryotherapy in treatment of keloids and to relate the treatment outcome with the clinico-etiological factors. Materials and Methods: A hospital-based interventional study was conducted in 30 patients of keloids. Patients received two freeze thaw cycles of 15 seconds each at four weekly intervals for six sessions or flattening greater than 75%; whichever occurred earlier. Patients were assessed after three treatment sessions and at treatment completion regarding thickness and firmness of lesions. Patient satisfaction scale was used to evaluate the treatment outcome at completion of six treatment sessions. Paired Students t-test and Analysis of variance (ANOVA) were used for statistical analysis. Results: Average flattening noted after 3 and 6 sessions of cryotherapy was 30.76% and 58.13%, respectively. The duration of lesions and thickness of keloids correlated significantly with the result of treatment. The site and aetiology did not influence the outcome of cryosurgical treatment. Conclusion: Cryotherapy seems to be an effective treatment modality for keloids of recent onset, particularly smaller lesions. Duration and thickness of the keloids were found to be the most important factors in determining treatment outcome with cryotherapy in our study. Larger studies are, however, required to confirm the efficacy of this treatment modality and to validate our findings of the factors affecting treatment outcome.

Amyloidosis cutis dyschromica: a rare pigmentary disorder

Amyloidosis cutis dyschromica represents a rare type of primary cutaneous amyloidosis with few reported cases worldwide. It is characterized by asymptomatic, generalized hyperpigmentation with intermingled hypopigmented macules without atrophy or telangiectasia. We report herein a 19‐year‐old female who developed this pigmentary abnormality at 4 years of age. Her aunt and great grandfather also had similar skin pigmentation. An unusual finding in our patient was the presence of papules in addition to characteristic macules. Amyloid deposits were shown histopathologically in both dyschromic macules and papules.

Specific Pregnancy Dermatoses in 1430 females from Northern India.

BACKGROUND The specific dermatoses of pregnancy represent a heterogenous group of ill-defined pruritic skin diseases, unique to pregnancy and post partum period. OBJECTIVE The aim of our study was epidemiological and clinical evaluation of various specific dermatoses of pregnancy. METHODS All patients visiting our antenatal clinic were screened for various pruritic skin conditions and those with specific pregnancy dermatoses were identified and evaluated. RESULTS Out of 1430 patients screened, nearly 5% (70 cases) patients had specific dermatoses of pregnancy. Intra hepatic cholestasis was the commonest specific pregnancy dermatoses. CONCLUSION Specific dermatoses of pregnancy can be diagnosed primarily on the basis of clinical features. All of these, except intra hepatic cholestasis, do not have any effect on normal course of pregnancy.

Paediatric cutaneous blastomycosis: a rare case diagnosed on FNAC.

Blastomycosis, usually presenting as pneumonia, is more common in adults than in children. Moreover, cutaneous blastomycosis is quite uncommon in children. We describe a case of cutaneous blastomycosis in an 8‐year‐old boy who presented with multiple hyperkeratotic verrucous plaques where diagnosis was made on fine‐needle aspiration cytology, and the infection responded well to oral itraconazole therapy with reduction in number of spores and size of lesions. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2009.

Successful management of airway hemangioma with propranolol.

Airway hemangiomas can be difficult to manage and cause anxiety in both the parents and the treating physician. Propranolol, a nonselective beta‐blocker, has recently been used for treating proliferating infantile hemangiomas. We report successful management of a proliferating, large, mixed infantile hemangioma with subglottic extension in an Indian infant using oral propranolol in a dose of 2mg/kg/day without any side effects. Induction of early involution and freedom from the side effects of steroid therapy seem encouraging for using propranolol as a first line treatment modality in the management of troublesome hemangiomas.

Lichen scrofulosorum: an unusual expression of pulmonary tuberculosis in a child

Lichen scrofulosorum, an uncommon expression of an active case of pulmonary tuberculosis is reported in a female child of 6 years. The diagnosis was supported by the relative criteria. The skiagram of the chest was affirmative, though it was not possible to demonstrate Mycobacterium tuberculosis through smear and/or culture. The response to anti‐tuberculosis treatment was favorable.

Nevus comedonicus syndrome

A case of nevus comedonicus syndrome with atypical cutaneous presentation (widespread involvement without any particular pattern, midline lesions involving lower abdomen and involvement of bilateral pinna), and some unusual skeletal (adduction deformity involving bilateral metatarsal along with medial deviation at the level of tarsometatarsal joint), central nervous system (agenesis of corpus callosum with a interhemispheric cyst), visceral (pancreatic cyst) and neurological manifestations have been illustrated.

Mucocutaneous manifestations in children with human immunodeficiency virus infection

Skin is one of the most frequently involved organs in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, and mucocutaneous manifestations may be one of the earliest markers of AIDS. The prevalence of cutaneous abnormalities in HIV approaches nearly 90%. Mucocutaneous manifestations may also act as a prognostic marker of HIV infection. Children are increasingly being affected by HIV infection and it is important to realize the presence of the infection early in the disease process as their immune status is not mature enough to handle the stress of various infections. Skin manifestations can serve as early markers and prognostic indicators of HIV infection. This review highlights the epidemiology, transmission, pathogenesis, and the mucocutaneous manifestations of HIV infection in children.